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* The House Republicans are doing whatever they can to get under Mike Madigan’s skin. From Greg Hinz…

The battle for control of the Illinois House is getting personal — really personal.

Over the weekend, House Republican Leader Tom Cross’ organization put up three large billboards aimed straight at his Democratic counterpart, longtime Speaker Mike Madigan.

The ads went up along Interstates 90 and 294 in the northwest suburbs, and Team Cross is hoping lots of motorists who live in swing districts in that area will see the billboards and act accordingly.

* Remember the self-made “Matt the Welder” TV ad I posted last week? Well, Gov. Pat Quinn took the guy on a fly around yesterday and the campaign has just posted a new video about it…

He’s definitely the genuine article.

* Quinn’s new TV ad makes the case that things are getting better in Illinois…

* Bill Brady repeated his demand yesterday for a “forensic audit” of state government…

Brady responded that Quinn’s handling of state finances has been obscured by secrecy and that he thinks a forensic audit will give a clear idea of other areas of state finances that could be cut or made more efficient.

“Until we do an audit, it will be hard to judge the priorities,” Brady said.

But Auditor General Bill Holland had some very unkind words about such a proposal when he testified to the General Assembly earlier this year. Watch it…

From a Peoria Journal Star editorial…

The measures lawmakers - mainly Republicans - are pushing now call for an analysis of “all state spending, hiring, procurement, and contracts awarded and the appointment of board and commission officials and decisions made by boards and commissions or those with procurement or hiring authority” from 2001 through 2010.

Here’s the reality check: For state spending alone, there are more than 130 million transactions over that period, from checks issued for mere pennies to lump-sum payments in the tens of millions. A thorough review can be expected to take years, not weeks or months. Any politician who implies the results would be in by their January inauguration - or by the start of the next fiscal year on July 1, 2011 - is … well, dreaming. Auditor General Bill Holland - who has repeatedly proven to be one of the straightest shooters in Illinois government - previously told the Chicago Tribune that the price tag on such an in-depth analysis would be “astronomical,” reaching “hundreds of millions of dollars.”

…Adding… The Brady campaign says they want a “business audit,” not necessarily a “forensic audit.” But a normal Auditor General compliance audit of a single state agency takes nine to twelve months to complete. No way could that be accomplished in time for the budget address.

* Meanwhile, over in the US Senate race, the Tribune weighs in on whether Alexi Giannoulias knew or should’ve known about the extent of criminal activity by a couple of people his family’s bank loaned money to…

It’s probably true that Giannoulias was not fully briefed on their illegal activity, which is the sort of thing felons rarely publicize even to their financial enablers. But he and his colleagues did know — or should have known — enough to show these clients the door.

While I agree that Giannoulias probably isn’t being truthful about what he knew and when he knew it, the gigantic hole in the Tribune’s argument is that lots of other Chicago banks loaned money to those guys as well. Also, considering that recent New York Times article, the Tribune might want to be just a little bit careful about warning banks to avoid lending money to unsavory types.

Anyway, the Mark Kirk campaign has posted a new video about the ongoing controversy…

* Roundup…

* Ill. Democrat committed to but distanced from liberal policies

* GOP Senate candidate in Illinois plans anti-fraud effort

* Huntley: Kirk has strongest Senate credentials

* Kirk feared attack from right

* Kirk says rival should answer questions on bank

* Illinois gubernatorial candidates debate

* Bill Brady: Our momentum is continuing

* Brady gets Democratic dollars

* Brady stresses his pledge to balance state budget

* News-Sun: We back Quinn

* Biden Arrives to Bolster Quinn’s Campaign

* ‘Matt the Welder’ stars in Quinn campaign ad

* Mitchell: Quinn on target with this solid investment

* Governor Quinn makes stop in QC on jobs tour

* Quinn Touts Union Support, Jobs Record

* Quinn slams Brady on tax payments while in Q-C

* GOP Says White House Visits Provide a Boost

* Lex Green, Libertarian candidate for governor

* Profile of Rich Whitney: Green Party candidate for governor

* Tribune: For the future of Illinois

* Comptroller race a battle for ascension and a rebound

* Chamber wants candidates grilled on tough economic issues

* Sun-Times’ endorsements for Illinois House

* Sun-Times: More picks for state House, Senate races

* 53rd House candidates debate slots at Arlington Park

* Walker hopes to bring new ideas to Springfield

* Poll finds Illinois judge lacking

posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:33 pm

Comments

“Considering that recent New York Times article, the Tribune might want to be just a little bit careful about warning banks to avoid lending money to unsavory types”

Ha Ha!

– MrJM

Comment by MrJM Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:37 pm
the ad is probably the most productive thing the springfield republicans have done this century.

the other bankers aren’t running for senate. Alexi is, and that’s the problem. This is a state with zero tolerance for that bs after the last 8 years. You see watching that debate who the grownup is and who the 6 year old is.

As far as the quinn bs goes, he notes 6,000 jobs he’s “saved”. That’s less than 1 percent of the 650,000 that have been lost during his 8 years as lite guv or regular governor and none of the ones mentioned are white collar-which is a job a lot of suburban swing voters hold.

Comment by shore Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:44 pm
==the gigantic hole in the Tribune’s argument is that lots of other Chicago banks loaned money to those guys as well==

That doesn’t make what they did right either. If one of their executive loan officers was running for public office, I would expect they would be getting similar heat. This wasn’t exactly Bank of America here. Smaller banks tend to give more scrutiny to such large personal loans. We still haven’t gotten a straight answer as to if, and if so why, Alexi went to Miami to meet with one of these fine upstanding customers of his bank.

Comment by ANON Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:45 pm
Matt the Welder. Brilliant.

He comes across a lot more likable than Joe the Plummer ever did too. Joe was always a little bitter and creepy. Matt really seems like a nice normal guy. Good for him getting some celebrity attention. Just don’t go changin’.

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:45 pm
How long before Brady starts campaigning with Jason the Plummer?

Comment by 47th Ward Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:49 pm
Rich, you can’t drop a bomb about Ryan Higgins $175K donation from Stand for Children and not follow up with some more scoop on that race. He is pounding the area with ads that try to make his opponent look like an incumbent tied to Madigan, but she’s actually a normal mom who’s first political act is to go up against this guy.

Comment by interesting Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:50 pm
While the IL Republicans have displayed thus far little interest or ability to responsibly address the budget deficits ahead … Hitting Mike Madigan as partially responsible for all this, strikes me as wholly legitimate. It’s hard for me not to conclude that one way Madigan has protected his majorities over the decades has been by continually kicking the fiscal can into the future. Again I wouldn’t lay all this at his door. But, he certainly bears a share of the responsibility.

Comment by ZC Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:51 pm
The Madigan billboard looks simmilar to one in the Quad cities against Hare, but no doubt it is probably the most interesting thing House Repubs have done in awhile.

Comment by interesting Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:52 pm
===and not follow up with some more scoop on that race===

Who said I’m not?

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:53 pm
How long before that attack on AG is edited down to a 30 second spot and is blasted on every tv station in the state? I believe that’s the gaff that decides this election on November 2nd. Can’t crap the bed less than 30 days out and expect to win in a race this close.

Comment by A.B. Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:54 pm
But, y’know, it would help if the rest of the media would start paying attention to this stuff.

I mean, how many articles, columns and editorials did they publish about campaign finance reform? And while millions of dollars are being injected into these races, they are silent.

Morons.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:55 pm
Perhaps because they are getting a decent cut of the millions of dollars?

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 12:58 pm
Brady on the need for a “forensic audit”: “Look people, I’ve missed a lot of days in Springfield, and even when I was there I’ve not paid much attention. Lord knows what kind of spending I’ve voted on over 17 years. Plus no one was more surprised than I was that 20% of Republicans saw fit to nominate me for the big office. I need this audit to get up to speed.”

Comment by just sayin' Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:03 pm
OneMan how “decent” are we talking here? Because if favorable press is just a matter of cold hard cash that would simplify my life considerably.

Comment by Dirt Digger Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:04 pm
Love the first ad. Bill Brady is talking about BORROWING $50 Billion, but this is all Madigan’s debt.

Comment by Skeeter Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:10 pm
DD - there is a difference between favorable press and not talking about anything that might cut your revenues.

Comment by OneMan Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:14 pm
according to a friend at the federal reserve, she didn’t believe there was a major bank in the country that didn’t have “mob money” in it (as of 2006). not that this fact resonates with voters (hell, this is illinois, so facts aren’t exactly appreciated here)…

Comment by bored now Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:18 pm
Business audit? That doesn’t sound cool at all. Forensic audit sounds like “CSI: Springfield.” Or at least “Quincy” (the show, not the town).

Seriously, who has credibility on this issue, Holland or Brady? If you answer that with a modicum of honesty, you can dispose of this nonsense right away.

Then, you can start reading the budget books, comptroller reports and shelves and shelves of already completed audits.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:25 pm
Yeah, Mussman has run a real inspiring race. A couple hundred from DPI rolled into cookie cutter attack ads. She’s not a mom on a mission, she’s just an old-school machine mom.

Comment by Easy Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:27 pm
If the audit is not a forensic audit then there should be no audit done. Wordslinger is right as usual, there are stacks of audits that can be examined, until there are repercussions for mis appropriating tax dollars the behavior won’t change.

Furthermore, talking about how much a forensic audit would cost, and the amount of time it would take as an argument against performing one is pretty ridiculous.

Q: What is the cost of doing nothing?

A: Our current financial situation.

Comment by Living in Oklahoma Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:33 pm
Word, word.

Brady, when you have reviewed the Auditor General’s website and plowed through a couple of CAFRs, come back and tell me that we don’t have adequate auditing in the State of Illinois.

You might want to take a look at the Comptroller’s website, too. Lots of interesting information.

Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:40 pm
Okie, there’s no mystery how we got here. There’s not a lack of information, just guts.

In fact, this forensic audit phantom holds out the hope that we’re just being ripped off, that we don’t have to make any painful choices.

I don’t think Quarters Boyle, Paul Powell and Orville Hodge together could steal $13 billion with a Peterbilt.

Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:41 pm
Brady’s ultra-mega-super audit would certainly create jobs. Every CPA in Illinois if not the Midwest would have to be brought on board. It’s essentially the accountant employment act of 2010/11.
And if the state auditor is too slow, perhaps Brady could name Chris Lauzen CPA audit czar of a Brady administration to herd the nerds and find those elusive billions in waste, fraud and abuse.

Comment by Piling on Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 1:54 pm
Chris Lauzen couldn’t find his __________ well, you can fill in the rest.

Comment by We Todd Did Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:03 pm
“Not knowing the extent” (…of the CRIMES of…) the “criminal figures” who he loaned money to? Ouch! It’s lookin’ more n’ more like Alexi is the self-confident guy who everybody’s chuckling at on the wedding reception’s dance floor who THINKS somehow he’s a good dancer while everybody else is thinkin’ “Whoa! He-he…look at THAT guy–what a BAD DANCER!” People talk about how the Governor rambles on, but all of the G man’s bumbling on and tripping over himself with the Meet the Press “crime figure” question is an Olympic Gold Medal performance for bumbling! If he seriously wants to pull this one out, he’d better real soon start doing some straight-WALKING (and talking) about his Bank issue, and lay OFF the dance floor routine! Kirk platinum-special on that ad…
Meanwhile, Matt the Welder, in person, in his Ad, like him or not, the guy’s a HIT (or Heaven-sent for Quinn)! The Guv should use one of those Super 8 Motel thrify discounts he gets and take the guy with him everywhere he goes–seriously–if not to every event in the last 3 weeks, by all means, get him (and keep him) on Quinn’s TV/radio ads throughout the State (or downstate, at the very least) ‘cuz he’s goin’ PLATINUM!

Comment by Just The Way It Is One Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:13 pm
Has Alexi ever admitted that he personally and specifically approved the Rezko/felon loans?

I’m hearing from a very good source that documents exist at MB that demonstrate that, but I’m not sure if they are anything more than confirmation of what he has openly acknowledged.

His evasive statements on MTP are certainly consistent with such a scenario. They ran to his knowledge of the applicants, not his actions.

Comment by Bubs Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:24 pm
==But, y’know, it would help if the rest of the media would start paying attention to this stuff.==

That’s why we trust you to bring us the scoop. It’s hard to trust newspapers these days, particularly when I open the paper and a glossy ad falls out the same day the paper endorses that candidates. Or when I get a mailer touting an endorsement that was made the day before.

Comment by interesting Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:26 pm
If Quinn wins the election, he should replace his budget director with Matt the Welder.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:28 pm
That’s all well and good, interesting, but only a tiny number of Illinoisans read this site.

Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:34 pm
Easy, have you met Michelle Mussman? Because I have, and I can assure you she’s the farthest thing from a *machine* pol one can find. Save the personal attacks for those who deserve them.

Comment by Mark Buerhle Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:37 pm
You raise an interesting historical question, Wordslinger: How many shoeboxes would you need to stash $13 billion?

Comment by soccermom Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:38 pm
Buerhle-
thanks for taking time away from playoff prep….oh wait, i’m sorry.

You can judge a lot about a person by the company they keep. When she decided to take hundreds of thousands from madigan, she became the machine. There are no independents in that caucus (maybe Nekritz is the exception), just machines.

Comment by Easy Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:47 pm
Billboard looks like another StateWideTom high school prank — almost as clever as the fundraiser for Madigan’s opponent.
At day’s end the GOP who lose their races will wonder why no one helped in their campaigns rather than these stunts
Thanks StateWideTom hope you did not pay full freight for the boards
BTW it is unlikely drivers can read that much message as they zip along.

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:50 pm
Quinn needs to get the Welder in ads blanketing the state–he’s the best thing that campaign has produced.

Comment by D.P. Gumby Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 2:52 pm
Reddbyrd, How fast do you think traffic goes during the 7 hours of rush hour in chicago?

Comment by We Todd Did Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 3:06 pm
Ah, the old “they’ll all machine” hacks argument. A timeless classic. Considering that district should be a slam dunk this year for the GOP and isn’t, you guys might wanna go in a different direction.

Comment by Mark Buerhle Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 3:37 pm
Matt the Welder lost me when he said, “Pat Quinn has done a tremendous amount to turn around a bad situation.”

HUH?

Comment by Fred Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 3:45 pm
Crosse’s billboards are perfect. The Republican Leader infuriates Madigan in public and the Democrat Speaker infuriates Cross in the Illinois Legislature. Talk about throwing pebbles into a pond. Cross has no solution and has been reduced to name calling and whining. Sad.

Comment by A.Schwartz Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 3:52 pm
I give credit to Cross for taking the fight straight at Madigan. He’s standing up to the problem and facing it straight on. Not enough people have been willing to do that, especially Democrats.

Comment by Old Milwaukee Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 4:50 pm
WTD last check of those who sell billboards is that only the strip clubs get much attention
but still hoping StateWideTom had to pay full price

Comment by Reddbyrd Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 5:01 pm
I thought there had already been an analysis of state hiring, and it revealed endemic hiring fraud. It must not have been too important since nothing ever came of it. PS - It predates 2001.

Comment by skhicks Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 5:30 pm
Reddbyrd,

How soon do you think the Madigan/Berrios romance is going to hit. Maybe for the first time Madigan can be used as the pinata. Soften him up now and let the Trib finish him when they layout the Madigan/Berrios connection.

Also, everyone knows Madigan is as close to absolute panic mode as he has ever been. This will not help calm his nerves.

Comment by Lake Watcher Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 5:51 pm
Wow, Matt the Welder is a pretty good speaker! Very effective!

Comment by Matt Tuesday, Oct 12, 10 @ 5:54 pm